Climate change may lead to unpredictable and dangerous consequences for water systems, biodiversity and human livelihoods across the Himalayas. Ed Grumbine and Xu Jianchu ask how such risks can be addressed.

Reducing deforestation will need to be a part of a post-2012 agreement on climate change. But whether any such scheme will benefit – or marginalise – forest communities is a critical question, write Lorenzo Cotula and James Mayers.

China has published draft proposals for tougher curbs and penalties on the use of chemicals blamed for the country's shocking levels of soil pollution, but there is no timetable when new laws would take effect